Virgin and Child

Virgin and Child, St John the Baptist and Angels
beginning 16th c.
Workshop of Sandro Botticelli
(Florence, 1445 - Florence, 1510)

The idealized image of the youthful Virgin Mary, with long auburn hair and drapery falling down in a melodious rhythm of lines, is typical of Botticelli's Virgins and Venuses. A deep landscape with a river is portrayed in the background, a motif frequently found in Botticelli's tondos (e. g. Uffizi in Florence and Museo civico in Piacenza). Playful Renaissance boys - the Christ Child in the Virgin's lap and St John the Baptist to the left, with a reed cross and garment made of camel hair.